African American Cultural Center (Us); Creator of Kwanzaa; and author of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family

Us Still Steadfast in the Struggle: 228 Seasons of Righteous Resistance

Dr. Maulana Karenga, Contributing ColumnistSeptember 1, 2022

This September 7th and the whole month, I am honored and uplifted in beautiful and sustaining ways to celebrate in praise and thanks with all our advocates (members), those present and those no longer with us, and with all our sustainers, supporters and well-wishers, this the 57th anniversary of our organization Us and the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, this Black value system embraced throughout the world African community.

Dr. Maulana Karenga

Taking Down Flags and Tearing Down Walls: Some Seriously Needed Distinctions

Dr. Maulana KarengaJuly 9, 2020

This is a revisiting of an ongoing conversation beginning in 2015 about taking down symbols of oppression, especially Confederate flags, but also statues, murals and all public signs, symbols and celebrations of our domination, deprivation and degradation as a people and other people of color. My argument here, as then, is that these acts are necessary, but not sufficient, an important start, but not the end of the long, difficult and dangerous journey to a radical reconception and reconstruction of the source of these racist symbols, signs and celebrations, i.e., society itself.